Medicare Advantage or Medigap in Maricopa County for 2027
Maricopa County has 52 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 from 13 insurers, and Medigap works with any doctor who takes Medicare. Here is how to choose between them, with the county numbers side by side.
Key takeaways
- Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with one private plan and a network. Medigap sits on top of Original Medicare and pays most of what Medicare leaves, with any provider that accepts Medicare.
- Maricopa County has 52 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone for 2027, from 13 insurers. 50 charge no plan premium for the medical part.
- Their in-network out-of-pocket maximums run from $2,000 to $8,900, averaging $4,896. CMS lets a plan go as high as $9,850 in 2027.
- With Medigap Plan G the one Medicare bill you keep is the Part B deductible, $283 in 2026, but you pay a separate monthly Medigap premium and a separate Part D plan.
- Timing decides more than price. Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period comes once. Arizona has no birthday rule, so switching back to Medigap later can mean answering health questions.
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In Maricopa County, Medicare Advantage usually costs less each month and Medigap usually costs less when you get sick. For 2027 the county has 52 Advantage plans from 13 insurers, 50 of them with no plan premium, while Medigap trades a monthly premium for predictable bills and the freedom to see any provider that accepts Medicare. Which one fits depends on your doctors, your health, how much you travel and whether you can still buy Medigap without health questions.
This guide is for people across Maricopa County choosing during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7, 2026) or turning 65. County figures come from the CMS 2027 plan file; Medigap rules are quoted from the federal Medigap guide.
What is the real difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap?
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private plan that takes the place of Original Medicare for your medical care. You still have Medicare and still pay your Part B premium, but the plan sets its own copays, uses its own network of doctors and hospitals, and in most cases includes Part D drug coverage. Each plan has a yearly cap on what you pay in network, called the out-of-pocket maximum.
Medigap, also called a Medicare Supplement, works the other way round. You keep Original Medicare, which pays first, and the Medigap policy pays some or all of what is left: coinsurance, copays and, depending on the plan letter, deductibles. Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include drug coverage, so you add a separate Part D plan, and each policy covers one person, so a couple buys two (Choosing a Medigap Policy, March 2026).
| Medicare Advantage | Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays your claims | The private plan | Medicare first, then the Medigap policy |
| Doctors and hospitals | The plan network (HMO) or higher cost out of network (PPO) | Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare |
| Referrals | Often needed in an HMO | Not needed |
| Monthly premiums | Part B, plus the plan premium (often $0) | Part B, plus the Medigap premium, plus the Part D premium |
| Yearly cap on medical costs | Yes, the plan out-of-pocket maximum (up to $9,850 in network in 2027) | No cap in Original Medicare; Medigap fills most or all of the gaps |
| Drug coverage | Usually built in (MA-PD) | A separate Part D plan |
| Extras such as dental, vision, hearing | Many plans include some | Not included; bought separately if wanted |
| Prior authorization | Common for some services | Rare in Original Medicare |
What does the 2027 Medicare Advantage market look like in Maricopa County?
Maricopa County has one of the deepest Medicare Advantage markets in the state. For 2027, CMS lists 52 plans open to anyone with Medicare in the county, offered by 13 insurers. Another 40 are Special Needs Plans, open only to people with both Medicare and AHCCCS or with certain chronic conditions; we leave those out of the comparisons below.
- Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone, 2027
- 52
- with a $0 plan premium for medical coverage
- 50
- insurers offering plans in the county
- 13
- average in-network out-of-pocket maximum
- $4,896
| Plan type | Plans | $0 plan premium | Without drug coverage | Average out-of-pocket maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMO | 29 | 28 | 1 | $4,305 |
| PPO | 14 | 14 | 3 | $6,046 |
| HMO-POS | 7 | 7 | 2 | $4,564 |
| Regional PPO | 2 | 1 | 1 | $6,575 |
36 of the 52 plans are HMOs or HMO-POS plans with a network and usually referrals, and 16 are PPOs that cover out-of-network care at a higher cost. A $0 premium is the norm: 50 of 52 plans charge nothing for the medical part, and 39 charge nothing at all once drug coverage is included.
Pinal County, next door, looks much the same: 47 plans open to everyone from 10 insurers, with an average out-of-pocket maximum of $4,980. Our guide to the 2027 Maricopa plan changes covers which plans changed or ended this year.
How much could you pay out of pocket under each path?
The out-of-pocket maximum is the most a Medicare Advantage plan can make you pay in a year for covered in-network medical care, not counting premiums or drugs. In Maricopa County for 2027 it ranges from $2,000 to $8,900 depending on the plan. CMS sets the ceiling: no plan may set its in-network limit above $9,850 in 2027.
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, Contract Year 2027, Maricopa County (FIPS 04013), plans open to everyone (Special Needs Plans counted separately), via the Ambrose Brain. Retrieved October 13, 2026.
With Original Medicare and Medigap Plan G, the one Medicare-covered bill Plan G does not pay is the Part B deductible, $283 in 2026 (CMS fact sheet; CMS announces the 2027 amount in mid November). Plan N leaves copays of up to $20 for some office visits and $50 for some emergency room visits. High-deductible Plan G starts paying after a deductible of $3,050 in 2027, up from $2,950 in 2026 (CMS F, G and J deductible announcements).
| Coverage | Your share of covered medical costs, worst case | What you also pay every month |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Advantage plan with the lowest maximum | $2,000 in network | Part B premium, plus the plan premium if any |
| Maricopa Advantage plan, county average | $4,896 in network | Part B premium, plus the plan premium if any |
| Maricopa Advantage plan with the highest maximum | $8,900 in network | Part B premium, plus the plan premium if any |
| Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G | $283 Part B deductible (2026) | Part B premium, plus the Medigap premium, plus a Part D premium |
| Original Medicare + high-deductible Plan G | $3,050 deductible (2027) | Part B premium, plus a lower Medigap premium, plus a Part D premium |
Will your doctors and hospitals be covered?
This is the question that decides it for most of our clients. With Medigap, any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare will take you, and no referral is needed. With Medicare Advantage, your costs depend on the network: in an HMO, care outside the network is generally not covered except for emergencies and urgent care, and in a PPO it is covered at a higher cost. In Maricopa County, 36 of the 52 plans for 2027 are HMO or HMO-POS plans.
- Specialists and health systems. If you see a specialist or use a particular health system in the Valley, check that both are in the plan network for 2027, not just in 2026. Networks change every January.
- Prior authorization. Advantage plans can require approval before some services, scans and procedures. Original Medicare rarely does.
- Out of state. If you spend summers in another state or travel to see family, an HMO network usually stops at the county line except for emergencies. Medigap goes wherever Medicare is accepted.
We look up your doctors, hospital and pharmacy in the 2027 network of each plan before you enroll. Our guide on how to check doctors and drugs shows the steps.
When can you buy Medigap without answering health questions?
Outside a few protected windows, Medigap insurers in Arizona can ask health questions and turn you down or charge more. Inside them they must sell you a policy at their standard price.
- Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. 6 months from the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. It happens once, and insurers cannot use medical underwriting during it.
- Guaranteed issue rights. Federal rights to buy certain plans without health questions, for example when your Advantage plan leaves your area.
- The trial right. Leave an Advantage plan you joined at 65 within the first year and you can buy any Medigap policy sold in Arizona.
| If this happens | You can buy | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare, stops serving your area, or you move out of its service area, and you return to Original Medicare | Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F or G (C and F only if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020) | Up to 60 days before your plan coverage ends, or no more than 63 days after |
| Your employer, retiree or union coverage that pays after Medicare is ending | Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F or G | No more than 63 days after the latest of the coverage end date, the notice date or a claim denial |
| You joined Medicare Advantage at 65 and leave within the first year (trial right) | Any Medigap policy sold in your state | Up to 60 days before your coverage ends, or no more than 63 days after |
| You dropped Medigap to try Medicare Advantage for the first time and leave within a year (trial right) | Your old Medigap policy if still sold, otherwise Plan A, B, C, D, F or G | Up to 60 days before your coverage ends, or no more than 63 days after |
| Your Medigap insurer goes bankrupt or your coverage ends through no fault of your own | Medigap Plan A, B, C, D, F or G | No more than 63 days after your policy ends |
How does prescription drug coverage work with each choice?
Most Advantage plans include drug coverage: 45 of the 52 plans in Maricopa County for 2027 are MA-PD plans, and 7 are medical only, usually meant for people with VA or other drug coverage. Their average Part D deductible is $495.
With Medigap you add a stand-alone Part D plan. The rules for 2027 are the same either way: the standard Part D deductible can be no higher than $700, and once you have paid $2,400 out of pocket for covered drugs in 2027, you pay nothing more for covered drugs that year (CMS CY2027 Rate Announcement, Attachment V).
Which choice usually fits which person?
There is no answer that is right for everyone, but after years of helping East Valley clients, we see the same patterns. Use these as a starting point, then test them against your own doctors and budget.
Medicare Advantage often fits if you
- Want the lowest monthly cost and can handle copays as they come
- Are happy with a doctor and hospital system that is in a 2027 network
- Stay in the Valley most of the year
- Value extras such as dental, vision or hearing allowances
Medigap often fits if you
- Want predictable bills and few surprises after a diagnosis
- See specialists or want any provider that accepts Medicare
- Spend part of the year outside Arizona
- Are in your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period now
Health matters too: someone who expects regular specialist care may hit an Advantage plan's maximum most years, which favors Medigap. If you have both Medicare and AHCCCS, a Dual Special Needs Plan is a third option.
Can you switch later if you change your mind?
Yes, but the doors are not symmetrical. From Original Medicare with Medigap, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan in any Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, for coverage that starts January 1. From Medicare Advantage, you can return to Original Medicare in the same window, or once between January 1 and March 31 during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, but buying Medigap at that point depends on the rights in the table above.
| Window | Dates | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment Period | October 15 to December 7, 2026 | Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change plans, join or change Part D. Changes start January 1, 2027 |
| Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period | January 1 to March 31, 2027 | If you are in an Advantage plan: switch to another Advantage plan once, or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan |
| Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period | 6 months from the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older | Buy any Medigap policy sold in Arizona without health questions |
| Special Enrollment Periods | When a qualifying event happens | Change plans after a move, losing other coverage and other events |
What should you check before December 7?
- Read your 2027 Annual Notice of Change if you already have a plan. Our ANOC guide shows what to look for.
- List your doctors, specialists, hospital and pharmacy, and every prescription with its dose.
- Check each one in the 2027 network and formulary of every plan you are considering.
- Compare total cost, not premiums: premium plus expected copays, with the out-of-pocket maximum as the worst case. Our Medigap vs Advantage calculator helps you rough it out.
- If you are leaving Medicare Advantage for Medigap, confirm you have a guaranteed issue right or apply and get approved before you drop the plan.
- Make your change by December 7, 2026, so it starts January 1, 2027.
The bottom line
In Maricopa County for 2027 you can choose from 52 Medicare Advantage plans with out-of-pocket maximums from $2,000 to $8,900, or Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan. Advantage usually wins on monthly cost and extras; Medigap wins on freedom to choose providers and predictable bills. Decide with your doctors, your health and your timing in mind, because the Medigap Open Enrollment Period comes only once and Arizona has no birthday rule. Make your change by December 7, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many Medicare Advantage plans are in Maricopa County for 2027?
CMS lists 52 Medicare Advantage plans open to everyone in Maricopa County for 2027, from 13 insurers, plus 40 Special Needs Plans for people who qualify. 50 of the 52 charge no plan premium for the medical part.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap later?
You can return to Original Medicare during the Annual Enrollment Period or the January 1 to March 31 Advantage Open Enrollment Period, but a Medigap insurer can ask health questions unless you have a guaranteed issue right, such as the first-year trial right or your plan leaving your area. Arizona has no birthday rule, so plan for this before you choose.
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?
No. Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include drug coverage, so you add a stand-alone Part D plan. In 2027 the Part D deductible can be no higher than $700 and your covered drug costs are capped at $2,400 for the year.
What does Medigap Plan G leave me to pay?
For Medicare-covered services, Plan G pays everything except the Part B deductible, $283 in 2026. You still pay the Part B premium, the Plan G premium and your Part D plan. High-deductible Plan G has a $3,050 deductible in 2027 in exchange for a lower premium.
When is my Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
It lasts 6 months and starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older. It happens once and does not repeat. During it, an insurer must sell you any Medigap policy it offers in Arizona without health questions.
Can I keep my doctors with Medicare Advantage?
Only if they are in the plan network for 2027; networks change each January. A PPO covers out-of-network doctors at a higher cost; an HMO generally does not. We check every doctor on your list first.
What if I spend summers outside Arizona?
Medigap goes wherever Medicare is accepted in the U.S. Most Advantage HMOs cover only emergencies and urgent care outside their area, so compare a PPO or Medigap if you are away for months.
Does it cost anything to have Rise Up compare both options?
No. There is no cost for our help. We compare both options in your ZIP code and check your doctors and prescriptions. Call (480) 300-5776 or book online.
Sources
- CMS Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, Contract Year 2027 (Maricopa and Pinal counties) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS CY2027 MOOP and cost-sharing limit calculations Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS CY2027 Rate Announcement, Attachment V Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- CMS fact sheet: 2026 Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Medigap Plans F, G and J high-deductible announcements Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare (CMS Product No. 02110, March 2026) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the NAIC
- Learn what Medigap covers Medicare.gov
- Compare Medigap plan benefits Medicare.gov
- Joining a health or drug plan Medicare.gov
Please note: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 34 organizations which offer 64 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.Rise Up Benefits Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information. This article is general information, not medical, tax or legal advice.
